SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 78
(By Senator Unger)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study new
requirements regarding restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and
impacts upon West Virginia communities.
Whereas, The Chesapeake Bay is a valuable natural resource
providing both recreational and economic opportunities to citizens
living in and around the Chesapeake Bay basin; and
Whereas, The Chesapeake Bay has been identified by the United
States Environmental Protection Agency as an impaired water due to
excess nitrogen and phosphorous, commonly referred to as nutrients,
entering the Bay from its various tributaries and resulting in
depleted dissolved oxygen supplies and other factors which impact
the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay; and
Whereas, West Virginia waters located in the Chesapeake Bay
watershed contribute nutrients to the Chesapeake Bay; and
Whereas, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware,
Pennsylvania, New York and the District of Columbia have agreed to
reduce the amount of nutrients contributed to the Chesapeake Bay by
sources located within their respective jurisdictions; and
Whereas, Publicly owned wastewater treatment facilities in the
Chesapeake Bay watershed are required to prepare a plan of action
for achieving loading limits for nutrients that will likely require reductions nutrient releases from their operations; and
Whereas, On a case by case basis, costs associated with
wastewater treatment improvements necessary to lower overall
nutrient loading to the Chesapeake Bay will likely result in
substantial rate increases for an essential public service and
deferral or cancellation of other critical infrastructure
extensions and/or improvements; and
Whereas, Economic health and continued economic development
and the extension of public services in the Chesapeake Bay
watershed is essential to the future of communities in the
watershed and the State of West Virginia; and
Whereas, West Virginia is committed to establishing a fair and
equitable program to assist in funding necessary improvements to
protect the Chesapeake Bay while also protecting the economic
interests and vitality of the Chesapeake Bay watershed; therefore,
be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to study new requirements regarding restoration of the
Chesapeake Bay and impacts upon West Virginia communities; and, be
it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance review and recommend funding mechanisms to assist in
off-setting the costs associated with the installation of enhanced nutrient removal technology by publicly owned wastewater treatment
facilities; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2009, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.